Southwest airline special deal for Ghana soccer fans in USA

With less than two weeks away, the proposed training tour to the United States by the Black Stars is generating lots of buzz in soccer and media circles all over America.

This is being felt particularly among the Ghana diaspora and in American soccer circles. Indeed, feverish preparations are underway on all fronts among soccer fans in various cities across America to storm Miami, where the national team will pitch camp from June 1 to June 10 to tune up for the World Cup in Brazil.

The Stars will round up their preparations with an international friendly against South Korea on June 9. To enable soccer fans assess the Black Stars at close range, US-based Ghanaian NGO: the International Youth and Sports Organization (IYSO), has launched a special travel package with Southwest Airlines to fly soccer fans from the North East coast to Miami to watch the friendly match.

The round trip costs $200 including ground transportation. Plans are also far advanced for accomodattion. Soccer fans who wish to take advantage of the package are advised to contact the IYSO secretariat on telephone numbers +17037256968, +17033106514 and +14044828804.

Meanwhile, tickets for the match will be announced early next week by Ticketmaster, stated officials at the Miami Sun Life stadium, venue for the match that kicks off at 1900 GMT. The IYSO is working on discounted tickets to be sold at Ghanaian outlets.

In a related development, the scheduled presence of the Black Stars has created excitement among American soccer fans eager for a closer look at the Ghanaians who play their USA counterparts for the third time in a World Cup match. The two clash in a Group G match in Natal on June 16. The Americans will have a feel of Ghana soccer skills and tactics when the Black Stars participate in a soccer clinic being organized by the IYSO as part of activities to raise funds to send supporters to Brazil to cheer the Black Stars.

The clinic which takes place at the Florida International University stadium on June 7 will enable American soccer kids, coaches and clubs learn some soccer lessons from the Black Stars who regard the clinic as part of their international outreach program.

This is how a soccer enthusiast who gave his name only as Chris described the soccer clinic: "you guys have great soccer skills. I will be there with my kids to learn some of the skills and techniques with which you beat us at the 2006 and the 2010 World Cup matches".

The clinic will be followed by a picnic during which the Stars will interact with Ghanaians and use their star power to raise funds for a worthy cause amid music by celebrated Ghanaian musicians.

Message 1 of 71